Chapter 4: The Opera Visit
By: PittsBurghFuzz
Paulette exited the carriage, at gazed at the opulent Paris Opera. Although it was in need of repair, the building still carried a feel of magnificence. Paulette noticed Cocteau's workers rebuilding the Opera, remembering that Cocteau was highly influencial when the building was first set in stone.
"I need to find a way around those darn workers!" Paulette said to herself.
Paulette then saw Cocteau with Raoul and Christine, walking on another nearby street. Paulette ran with lightning speed to a unmarked entrance. Paulette could not bear another marriage proposal by Jean, or another lecture by Raoul. Once Paulette was inside, she observed what was formerly a hall of dressing rooms. It was a very long hallway, but Paulette decided to walk on anyway.
Paulette remembered her brother saying that Christine's dressing room was at the very end of the hallway, almost isolated from the other cast members. It took Paulette literally two minutes to finally arrive at Christine's dressing room. The door had a cute "Ms. Christine Daae" sign on it. When Paulette opened the door, she saw a dead bouquet of flowers, probably once beautiful. Her attention drifted to the little desk in the dressing room. There was a closed note on the desk, so Paulette picked it up, and opened it.
It read:
Dear Christine,
Please don't do Don Juan tonight! I beg of you! We have known each other since childhood, and I don't want you to get yourself hurt. I could never forgive myself if that bastard hurt you.
Love,
Raoul
This confirmed Paulette's suspicions that this "Angel of Music" character was real in some way, and Raoul certainly didn't care for this fellow.
Paulette's attention went towards the mirror. The body-length mirror appeared to be very dusty. Paulette walked towards the mirror, and dusted it off, slightly. After lightly tapping the glass, our heroine realized that there was something more than glass behind the mirror. It was hollow! Paulette was searching for a way to open the mirror.
"Damn! I can't find the lever!" Paulette said to herself, in the search for the mirror's opening device.
Paulette stomped her feet on the floor, then heard a sliding noise. This made the vicomtess jump. The mirror was slowly, but surely, revealing its true self!
Paulette stared at the open entrance for several minutes. She didn't know whether to enter or not. However, Paulette's curiosity got the better of her, and a mysterious force pulled her in.
The dark walls had arms, holding web-covered candelabras. The path grew, darker and darker, until Paulette entered a winding staircase.
"Odd." Paulette commented.
Paulette descended the dimly lit staircase, with justified caution.
Then a trap door opened. Paulette noticed quickly, and was able to dodge this unforeseen adversary.
"That was close."
After the tedious staircase, Paulette saw a gondola.
"A boat? Very strange, I feel as if I'm on the river Styx."
Paulette stepped onto the gondola, and took note of its sinister appearance. There was a lantern on the bow, and the lantern was in the shape of a skull. The boat itself was painted black. Paulette began to row.
After passing by beautiful pieces of stone structure, a gate structure rose, slowly.
"Who goes there?" an ominous voice asked.
Paulette trembled and held her ground.
"Well, who the hell is it?"
"I'm sorry. I was curious, the mirror, the hallway..." Paulette was trying to say.
"Answer my question, who are you?" the voice commanded.
"Who are you?"
"Who am I? I am a ghost!"
"I came looking for Erik."
The voice was silent.
"Well?" Paulette asked with a confused face.
"Erik is dead. He died four years ago, along with that Phantom creep."
"Wait a minute, your the Phantom?"
"Was the Phantom."
"Well, then reveal yourself."
A tall figure came from behind a curtain. The ominous figure wore evening clothes, and his hair was slicked back, appearing to be a wig. The most notable features were deformed lips, and a half white mask.
"Now mademoiselle, who are you?" the Phantom asked.
"My name is Paulette."
"Please enter." the Phantom's hands signaled.
Paulette docked the gondola and approached the Phantom.
"Well, what is it that you require of me?" the Phantom asked.
"Well, I was looking for a man named Erik." Paulette explained.
"You're far too pretty to go down here alone and try to find some loser named Erik. Not to mention, brave. Several men have died at my hands without me even trying." the Phantom grinned.
"Well, I need to know who you are."
"Why? I am just a monster that came and went in legend. You're writing a biography about me?"
"No. Just curious."
"Would you sit down?"
Erik led Paulette to a chair, and Erik sat at a tall, black throne.
"So what do you want to know about Erik?"
"His relations to Christine de Chagny." Paulette stated.
Erik's grin turned straight. "I do not wish to talk about Christine."
"Were you, in love with her?" Paulette asked.
"Sure, why not. I guess it could be love. No, more like lust."
"Well, whatever it was, are you still..."
"No. I have gotten over her. I spend my hours reading and thinking about other things. Christine put a lot of strain on my heart." Erik admitted
"Strain?"
"Yes. Strain. I was content with my underground paradise, until I saw her! I heard her! I knew I needed to posses her, the voice. I had an unhealthy lust for something I could never have. But I have one question?"
"Yes?" Paulette asked.
"How are you related to the countess de Chagny?"
Paulette twiddled her thumbs. "Well, lets just say I..."
"Hold on..." Erik looked at Paulette's face.
"You look like someone I know. What is your family name, Paulette?" Erik asked.
Paulette softly mumbled, "de Chagny."
"What?" the Phantom asked.
"de Chagny." Paulette said louder.
Erik suddenly burst into great laughter.
"Unfortunately, I understand why you are laughing."
"Oh my God. You have the misfortune, to be related to the greatest fop that ever lived? Ha! I'm sorry if I am being offensive."
"No its alright, I don't like him either." Paulette giggled a little.
"Wow! Now that's a plot twist! So, Paulette, you have asked me questions, now it is only fair for you to tell me about yourself."
"Well, I dislike my older brother and my sister-in-law."
"Too old-fashioned and too passive?" Erik asked.
"Exactly! Christine is such a boring character." Paulette complained.
"Oh yes, she is quite boring. Hell I don't know how I tolerated it."
"Neither do I. Anyway, I'm also barraged by several marriage proposals, by the same man." Paulette frowned.
"Well, what's the matter with the poor sap?" Erik asked.
Paulette sighed. "Well, his name is Jean Cocteau."
"Yeah, I am familiar. Go on."
"Well, as you know, he is rich, and my brother thinks a union could be beneficial to both families. But I don't want to marry him! Besides, it is rumored that he has mistresses!"
"That does make things interesting." the Phantom noted.
"What do you think I should do?" Paulette asked.
"Well, frankly. I think you should follow your heart. You only live life once."
"You know, I've only been here for five minutes, and yet I feel like I always known you. Thank you for listening."
"Not at at. I appreciate the company." Erik smiled.
"What time is it?" Paulette asked.
"Oh, its quarter past twelve."
Paulette frowned. "I should be going soon."
"Will you allow me to take you back?"
Paulette nodded. Erik took her small hand and led her to the gondola.
Sorry if it was too long or if there was too much info, but I felt like writing a long chapter. :)